Wayne Rooney promises to improve on flying start after scoring Everton winner on his second home debut

When Wayne Rooney assessed his options after deciding it was time to move on after 13 seasons at Manchester United, the offers came from the Premier League, China and United States.

It has been said that it in choosing to go back to Everton, it was the easiest one to take; Everton being his boyhood club, Goodison Park being a short drive away from where many of his family members still live in Croxteth. Everton represented home.

Rooney saw things differently. Everton presented the greatest challenge; somewhere his performances would be scrutinised intensely, a place where there would be immense responsibility on his shoulders. He did not want his career to fizzle out. The last few years had to count for something.

“I could have gone to another team and taken my foot off the gas and seen the last few years out. But coming back here? I have got to be the best I can be. It is the club I grew up supporting, it’s the club I want to play for. I want to do well.

“I think I said in my press conference there were lots of offers from other Premier League clubs and abroad, which financially would have been a lot better for me. But I have always been a player and a person who wants to play football. That is what made my decision, not necessarily the money side of things. That is why I chose to come back. Hopefully I can repay some of the faith that Ronald Koeman has shown in me.”

The timing of his superb header past Jack Butland not only proved he can still determine the outcome of a tight match, but also that his sensors remain activated while those of others fade. It was moments before half-time. His performance also suggested a fire, as he says, still burns. This, however, is not a Rooney who will power through a field of opponents like his teenage self, but a player who knows what it takes to get a team over the line. Towards the end, when team-mates were fouled and tried to continue – rather than break up play and waste seconds – Rooney stayed down, interrupting any Stoke momentum. Koeman – not usually one to lavish praise on any individual – knows he can do it with Rooney because he is old enough now to take it in his stride.

Rooney celebrates in front of the Everton fans at Goodison ParkCredit:
PA

“He is an intelligent player and with his experience, when the team needs patience; when the team needs a fall – he is going down instead of [Idrissa] Gueye or Tom Davies; they try and always stand and win the battle. That is down to the cleverness of the player.

“We did not sign Wayne because he will score 25 goals a season, no, he will bring experience, winning mentality and cleverness.” Rooney added: “fans aren’t silly. Everyone knows I’m not the explosive player who was here when I was 16 to 18. My game has changed. I’m a lot cleverer than I was back then. My game has changed and they will see that in the next few weeks.”

Everton will need his help. Their next four opponents are Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. As for Stoke, there is little to say other than, based on first impressions, it could be a long season.